During the developmental stage when going through all the different subjects – with majority of them being subjects I have never done before, I learnt a lot. I had my weaknesses and strengths throughout all the different subjects, but I ended up learning a lot about the approach that I take to get to the final product with all the subjects.
I know I had a strength in photography because I studied the subject for GCSE’S and A-level. I really enjoyed the subject, and I would have carried it on but I felt like I needed a change. I wanted to be able to learn new things. The only adobe software that I knew how to use was Photoshop, but due to being able to download free software. I have downloaded Illustrator and InDesign so that I could teach myself how to use them like I did with Photoshop. The software tutorial that we had was so helpful in actually understanding the basics of Illustrator and InDesign. I know that my strengths are in digital work, such as editing, taking the photographs and create designs such as posters, leaflets, and covers for albums. I like doing this in my free time as well, however I am concentrating on actually learning illustrator for the moment.
During the whole experimental experience, I had a lot of doubts about myself, I realised that with all the new subjects I really struggled with the drawing element, I have always known I was not a good drawing, and I always felt embarrassed because when looking around the room, there were so many people that had amazing work. I know that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but it was hard. I am practicing my drawing as I feel like this is important. I did try drawing on Illustrator and I felt that it worked so much better than drawing. It was a little cartoon character but I was just drawing free hand using the pen tool, and the outcome was quite good. Another weakness that I had was creating 3D objects, I have never done any work 3D before, so this was really challenging for me. I kept overthinking everything that I was doing, and creating more of an issue for myself which could have been prevented. Although I struggled, I did enjoy the challenge, but it was just upsetting when I couldn’t block out the overthinking because I was worried about embarrassing myself with my drawings. I know I shouldn’t do that, and I know that everyone has different ways of approaching design, and I have grown and moved on from this.
I have improved on a few skills, I feel like that because I worked my entire summer holidays I was able to improve on my confidence and socialise with people, which due to my past I wouldn’t have been able to do it as well as I actually have. I felt that I have fitted in with people very well, and I am glad as when you socialise and get a group of friends it makes the experience less overwhelming and slightly more enjoyable. I feel like I am able to work as a group, I have never worked as a group behind, and during the past month I have done things that I never thought I would such as being myself with an entirely new group of people, and I am proud of how I have coped and how I have put 100% effort into all of my work.
I wanted to do graphic design as when I search and researched the subject, it really interested me because through the course I am able to explore so many different ways of designs, learning new skills and gaining experiences. The skills that I would learn would allow me to expand on my knowledge and help me understand design a lot better than I actually have learnt throughout photography and media. I know it has only been a couple of days, but I have read through the brief, and what I am going to be able to do, and what I have already done; I am really enjoying it, and I am really looking forward to what the year has to offer me. A designer in graphic design which really interests me is Gemma Obrien, I found her page on Instagram, and it looks so unique. The photographs are all taking really nicely, and the layout makes you want to dive into her work. The actual work itself is amazing. I spent hours just looking through her Instagram, and thinking about the work she has designed, and how it makes me feel as a viewer, but also potential artist and it made me thinking of how I want my style / tone to be. It hard to say what it will be at the moment, but I am thinking. It is interesting to think that they aren’t any limits in term of design, and the saying ‘The worlds your oyster’, really connects with design itself.
I am going to set a challenge for myself to try and go to different exhibitions, even if they aren’t graphic design, I don’t want to limit myself, I want to look at inspirations / artists work in all the different areas and hopefully be able to combine different skills. I aim is to not overthink, to practice my drawing skills, and just have fun with the projects. They are creative projects, I want to be able to think outside the box with them, enjoy them.
Foundation Art & Design - Sophie Davidson 